So, you’ve had a great brainstorming session. Your whiteboard (or digital equivalent) is overflowing with ideas, ranging from the brilliant to the mediocre. Now comes the fun part: figuring out which ideas are actually worth pursuing.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to pick just one! Here are a few fun and effective ways to prioritize your ideas.
Four ways to prioritize ideas from a brainstorm
- Dot Voting: This is a classic for a reason. Give each participant a few dots (maybe 3-5). They can then “vote” for their top ideas by placing a dot next to them. The ideas with the most dots get top priority. Simple, effective, and everyone has a voice.
- Impact vs. Feasibility: This visual method helps you quickly assess the potential impact of each idea against how realistically you can actually achieve it. Plot each idea on a simple chart with “Impact” on one axis and “Feasibility” on the other. Ideas in the “high impact, high feasibility” quadrant are your sweet spot.
- The MoSCoW Method: This framework categorizes ideas into four groups:
- Must Have: Essential for the project’s success.
- Should Have: Important, but not absolutely necessary.
- Could Have: Nice-to-haves that would add value.
- Won’t Have: Ideas that are not feasible or don’t align with the project goals.
- Force Ranking: This method can be a bit more intense, but it can help you quickly narrow down your top choices. Have your team rank the ideas from most to least important.
Pro Tip: Don’t just rely on one prioritization method. Use a combination of techniques to get a well-rounded perspective on your ideas.
Remember, prioritizing is an ongoing process. As your project evolves, you may need to revisit your initial decisions and adjust accordingly.
Happy brainstorming!
